Aims/hypothesis Rapamycin impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Our previous study demonstrated that rapamycin significantly increases the expression of gastric ghrelin, which is critical in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Here, we investigated whether ghrelin contributes to derangements of glucose metabolism induced by rapamycin. Methods The effects of rapamycin on glucose metabolism were examined in mice receiving ghrelin receptor antagonist or with ghrelin receptor gene deletion. Changes in Glut4, JNK, and pS6 were investigated by immnuofluorescent staining or Western. Related hormones were detected by radioimmuno-assay kits. Results Rapamycin impaired glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity not only in normal C57BL/6J mice but also in both obese mice induced by high fat diet and db/db mice. This was accompanied by elevation of plasma acylated ghrelin. Rapamycin significantly increased the levels of plasma acylated ghrelin in normal C57BL/6J mice, high fat diet induced obese mice, and db/db mice. Elevation in plasma acylated ghrelin and derangements of glucose metabolism upon administration of rapamycin was significantly correlated. The deterioration in glucose homeostasis induced by rapamycin was blocked by D-Lys3-GHRP-6, a ghrelin receptor antagonist, or by deletion of ghrelin receptor gene. Ghrelin receptor antagonism and ghrelin receptor gene deletion blocked the up-regulation of JNK activity, and GLUT4 expression and translocation in the gastrocnemius muscle induced by rapamycin. Conclusions The current study demonstrates that ghrelin contributes to derangements of glucose metabolism induced by rapamycin via altering the expression and translocation of GLUT4 in muscles.

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(2015) Some applications of 2-D and 3-D photogrammetry during laboratory experiments for hydrogeological risk assessment, Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 6:5-7, 473-496, DOI: 10.1080/19475705.2014 Scaled-down flume tests are largely used to support investigations for the assessment of hydrogeological risk. Achieved outcomes can be integrated to numerical analyses for the study of unstable slope collapse, debris transport, and hydrological models in general. In the set-up of such simulation platforms, a relevant role has to be given to the Spatial Sensor Network (SSN) which is in charge of collecting geo-referenced, quantitative information during experiments. Photogrammetry (including 3-D imaging sensors) can play an important role in SSN because of its capability of collecting information covering wide surfaces without any contact. The aim of this paper is to give an overview and some examples of the potential of photogrammetry in hydrogeological simulation experiments. After a general introduction on a few preliminary issues (sensors, calibration, ground reference, usage of imaging or ranging sensors), potential applications are classified into 2-D and 3-D categories. Examples are focused on a scaled-down landslide simulation platform, which has been developed at Tongji University (Shanghai, P.R. China).

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